Weld County, CO Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Weld County, CO, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Permit cost
- Free
- Allowed hours
- 2 hrs after sunrise to before sunset
- Wind limit
- Under five mph
- Red Air Alert
- All burns canceled
- Prohibited
- Trash, tires, structures, chemicals
Summary
Open burning in unincorporated Weld County requires a free permit from the Department of Public Health and Environment. Burning is limited to daytime hours, must stay attended, and is banned when winds exceed five mph or on Red Air Alert days.
Burning can begin two hours after sunrise, and must be completed no later than two hours before sunset... Burning is not permitted when local wind speed exceeds five miles per hour, and all open burning needs to be attended by an adult.
Full Breakdown
Weld County issues open-burn permits under contracted authority from the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division (Regulation No. 9, 5 CCR 1001-11) plus Weld County open-burning conditions. Apply online through the burn-permit portal; there is no cost, and staff respond within about three business days. Burning may begin two hours after sunrise and must finish two hours before sunset. It is unlawful to burn trash, tires, vehicles, structures, chemicals or furniture. All open burns are canceled on Red Air Alert days and whenever a fire ban is posted. Frederick and Firestone allow no open burning except irrigation ditches.
Violations & Fines
Burning without a permit, burning prohibited materials, or burning in unsafe conditions can bring air-quality enforcement, cost-recovery, and cancellation of any permit at any time by the local fire district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to burn yard waste in Weld County?
When can I legally burn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Weld County
How Weld County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Weld County to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.